Garment sizing and shaping form



Oct 26, 1943- J. w. BELL ET Al. 2,332,689

GARMENT SIZING AND SHAPING FORM Filed Sept. 2l, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 58s /Sab 5S waak 5 I SX Sib EE 5l Snventors John W. Bell Bu Alfred F. Larsen (Ittornegs Oct. 26, 1943. .1. w. BELL ET AL GARMENT SIZING AND SHAPING FORM '7 Sheefs-Sheet 2,

Filed Sept. 2l, 1940 llllv H h Snventors John w. 521| Alfred F Larsen Gttornegs Oct. 26, 1943.

' J. w. BELL ETAI.

GARMENT SIZING AND SHAPING FORM Filed sepi. 21, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 26,` 1943.

J. w. BELL ETAL GARMENT SIZING AND SHPING AFORM Filed Sept. 21, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 John VV. Bil u Alfred n F. Larsen f Gttornegs Oct. Z6, 1943. J, w, BELL. ETAL GARMENT sIzING AND sHAPING FORM File@ sept. 21, 1940 7 lsheets-sheet s Y Oct. 26, 1943. J. w. BELL ETAL 2,332,689

GARMENT 'SIZING AND SHAPING FORM Filed Sept. 2l, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I8' John Bell m. Alfred F. Larsen 3 nuentors Gttornegs GARMENT SIZING AND SHAPING FORM Filed sept. .21, 1940 'l sheets-sheet v 30g 30x 30xA ox V Snoentors Figzz. .8 '7 John w.e|\

` u AI'FredF. Larsen Patented Oct. 256, 11943 y I A '2,332,689 Y GARMENT sisma Ann sHAPING Font/i John W.V Bell and AlfredF. Larsen, Seattle, Wash.. ird to Charles H. Fierce,

assignors of one-th Seattle, Wash. f

imputation september 21, 194e, serial No. 357,*180r 7 Claims.l

Garments, when cleaned, are subjected -to` processes which cause them to shrink, particularly when made of certain materials. CleanersV attempt to bring such garments back to their original size and dimensions in all respects, but have usually employed fiat forms or tables for measurement 'and stretching of the garments, fiatwise. The human form, however, is athreedimensional figure, and fia'twise measurements and stretching do not accurately reproduce `the human figure nor make the garmentv conform thereto. The garment may be unduly stretched in certain regions and not sufficiently stretched in other regions, and the result is that it fails to fit the gure properly, and may befdamaged `by the abnormal stresses; y

Forms have been proposed heretofore that act in the nature of three-dimensional figures, Vad-v justable in various directions and in various zones correspondingly to `the size variations in such zones of the humangure, and correspondl ing to the variations in size and shape of dier` ent humaniigures. Such figures have been a great improvement, "but because they/are eXf, pensive, and because a greaty number of dresses must be handled by the cleaner in a days time, such gures have not proven altogether economi- (Cl. 22S-Uil) which is mechanically simple, therefore relae tively inexpensive, and rugged, and easy to operate. A Y

Preferably also, according to this invention,

`such adjustments are `made by controlswhich are operable from a remote point externally of 'the ligure. Thereby, in large measure, they may be made without reaching within the form, and

consequently may be made after a dress has been applied to the collapsed form, for in the collapsed condition of the form the dress ismost easily fitted upon it, or taken vf rom'it. `With a dress upon the form, the form may be expanded to the proper size, accomplishing the stretching of the dress in all directions by equal or `equivalent amounts, and without `undue strain in anygiven region, and after the dress is finished-the form maybe collapsed jto-an extent that makes removal ofthe `dress simple, with no mussing.

f It :is also anobject to provide indicator means which are `independent of but connected for movement with the expandersatthe `several l zones, which will indicate at aglanceto the opercal in use because of the time required and the` other difficulties attendant upon `adjustment in Y the various respects required to fit different g- Each dress fitted: upon such aigureref is to produce a three-dimensional figure of the general nature indicated, capable of adjustment as to height and as to spacing of the various cir,- cumferential Zones,'and` capable of adjustment in each sone to nt lthe variations` of human iigures, and preferably adjustable in such Zones in the directions and bythe amounts which correspend to human size variations in the respective zones, and furthermore to provide such a` ligure in which the adjustments are quicklyv andconveniently made, preferably. `by :power means;

Likewiseit is an object to provide such argure atorthe exact circumferential dimension at such Zone, while the adjustment of the form is proceeding.

VIt'is a particular object to provide convenient power-operated mechanism for accomplishing the Yvertical adjustment of the f-orm for height and` foi" spacing between the severalzones, and to provide convenient means for limiting and accomplishing this vertical adjustment.

As has been suggested, such a figure is conveniently made Vup of'several individual zonal expanders corresponding, for example,4 to the shoulders, bust, waist, and hips 'of a, human figure, which expanders will 'cooperate in general to define Ithe outline'or contour of the human fleure, but it is preferredthat the remainder of the `figure (and this is particularly 'important nitnreiation--to tneskirt portion) be filled in by long'itudinals connecting .the various zonal 'expanders.' i Preferably single flexible longitudinals extend from the lowermost, Vor hem expander, tothe vuppermost or shoulder expander, being engaged by the intervening expanders. However, sinee adjustment must be made as to height and as to spacing between individual expanders, .andl as tocircumference `at each expander, and since these various adjustments will require different eifective lengths of the longitudinals, we `prefer that there be employed ,take-up'means,

`such as may be associated with each individual longitudinal, by; meansV of which Athe individual longitudinals may be maintained properly taut and in the proper contour of the figure.

Since such a form must inevitably be as tall as the distance from the hem to the shoulder of a dress which will fit any given person, and might be diflicult to fit a dress upon because of its height, especially if elevated upon a pedestal, or if always of maximum height, it is anobject vto construct the form in a manner which requires but a minimum of elevation above the oor, and which permits its ready collapse vertically to a size enabling an operator, standing upon the floor alongside the form, readily-'to nte-a dress..

as a whole, parts being broken away or omitted for-clearer illustration of 'the .general principles. yFigure 2 is in general a section, the viewpoint being at"90' to that ofFigure l, illustrating-the figure as awhole. y

vrigure 3 is a plan 'View of 4the control stand, and Figure 4is in part'an elevation 'and in Apart a section Ythroug'rh an individual controlvalve'.

Figures v5 to 9 inclusive pertain to theshoulder expander and the associated indicator unit,"the latter 'of whichis common 'to all the expanders. Figure 5 is'i'n part an elevation andin part ja section through th-isuppermost' unit;- Figure' is in'part a rontfelevatin' and inf part a section through the same; Figure *Tis a transverse section through an individual'indicator; Figure 8 is Ya section, substantially on the line 8-58 of Figure 6; and Figureg is a Ldetail section:substantially on the line 95-9 of Figure v6.

Figures 10 to 13 inclusive pertain primarily. to the bust expander, although Figure 12 illustrates a detail common to most of the expanders. Figure 10 is infpart an'elevation and in parta horizontal section through the bust expander; Figure 11 is a front elevation with .parts broken away to show the interior construction thereof; Figure 12 is a detail, partly `in section, .of means to limit I or determine the vertical adjustment'of` the ex- -pander;.liigure 13 is in" general a section on the' line 'I3-i3 of Figure 10. f

Figure 14 is a View similar vto Figure 12, -illustrating a dierent type of means to determine the vertical adjustment or spacing of the expanders.

Figure `15 to 18 pertain primarily to the waist expander. Figure 15 is a-view similar to Figure 10; Figure -16 isa view similar toFigure 11; and Figures 17 and 18 are respectively vertical and horizontal sections of details vof, the expander and of-its relationship respectivelytofthe longitudinals and to the complemental transverse expander elements. y y l Figures 19 and 20 .pertain primarily to the hip expander. Figure 19v is a View similar to Figures 10 and 15, and Figure 2O is a'view similar to Figures 11 and 16.

FiguresZl and 22 pertain primarilyr to the h'em expander, Figure 2'1 being a view 'similar t'o Figures 10, 15 rand 19, and Figure 22 being a View similar to nFigures 1l., 16, `and 20.

2,332,689 -v l y Figure 23 is a detail of the carding tape em-v ployed to engage and hold down the hem, which is associated with the 'hem holder and expander. f

The figure, as has been indicated, is generally of human shape. This is not to be understood as requiring it to have arms and legs, but more strictly speaking it conforms to the shape of garmentsrwhichare wornby` humans or vwhich are draped 'upon the human figure. Since the diflculties mentioned above are met with primarily in connection with womens clothes, the :ligure conforms primarily to the shape of womens clothes, and the lower portions have more or less the contour of -a womans skirt. clothes arusually worn with more or less looseness, the figure may be so expanded that it does not represent the actual human figureof the Wearerjbu't ratherv the expanded size of the clothes which t loosely upon that human figure. It is this meaning which in this speciication is to be understood `when they figure is descrihed'as generallyof human shape. Indeed, 'suchfigures may beemployed Withskirtsronly, and in .suchk case vit is not outside-theV` intended meaning inthe partsab'oye the waistbe'omitted. .i

Ink its general characteristics .the figure comprises a'shoulder expander S, a bust expander B,

a waist expander W, a'hip expander H, `and 'a hold-down vring orhem'expander R, disposed one aboveanother and 'suitably supported; and prevented from v4rotating relative to one another.

At ra convenientv point, preferably in the position' corresponding to the headoi sucha figure, there is mounted an indicator I.v

f The.. :support isf formed ofv several individuel l parts, one of which is associated'vfithfeach' of the expanderaf-wh'ich are -relatively vmovable?vertically conveniently, and preferably, the arrange'- mentl'l comprises several telescopinglyfconnected 'slidable'tubularielements 'with a power jack; preferably a huid-'pressure operated jack, Within.l the' telscoping .tubular assembly, wherebyl ther same-mayfibe collapsed fdwnwardly. to va desired aboutfthe support, fis'suitably prevented,v

Preferably each expander is made est convexity lancll greatest ysize variations in lthe human ligure, Y to: which may vbe connected, :for v corresponding movement, secondary circumfer-y ential. members `completing the circun'l'ferentiarlv The expansion iny f g contour at each `such' zone; each zone :may -be accomplished by similar. -jack means `Vforming partof orincorporated within the expander. Such jack means. arejarrange'd tozreact from the :central-support or fromza vpart andby amounts which correspond `to the directions and amountv off size variation inhuman figures;

providing :the direction fof Aexpansion shall L'n'ot Also, since.

Y 11p-primarily voi" plates which denefthe .principal contours at each'respective zone, -thatis,flthe'point's of greatf However, itiisnot to be understood as an essential element of the invention, in certain respects; ithatthe' expansion lin anyrgiven zone' be iny the directionzzof .the principal variations.-.ofj humanA sizes .in such zones, `for .While'this is. preferable, Zeven .without this provision the. 44form 'is' useful inthe circumferential extent be' varied,"

depart too greatly from the direction of expansion oi"A human figures in such zones. u Since the expanders incorporatethe'principal points at which human iigures bulge,`such a's the bust and hips, the figure might be formed only by these expanders, but it is'preferred that the spaces between these expanders, vertically, be filled in all around the gure. Among other reasons this is desirable toprevent `dresses`-froni sagging within the form, and possiblycontacting parts of the mechanism. At the same time, the actual surface area contacting the dress mustbe slight, to impede by the'minimum the accessto and passage through the dress ofair blown within it. Accordinglyit is preferred that narrow` individual longitudinals or flexible metal tapes be employed, extendingfrom the hem rexpander R through the various expanders in order-the hip expander H, the waist expander W, the bust expander B, and up to a connection with the shoulder expander S. li'orA reasons `which have been pointed out these longitudinalsareprovided with take-up mechanism,` preferably individual take-up devices for each longitudinal; so that they may be kept taut and in theprcper contour of f the iigure as variations occur, due to vertical adjustment or circumferential expansion.

To the individual expanders are connected indicating devices which are' not affected by vertical adjustment, but` ,which are sensitive to increase in circumferential` extent. These -indicaters are preferably grouped allein one` place, as for instance at the head portion cf theegure, so that the operator has constantly before him an indication of the precise measurement or Vsize of the igure Vat the zone` wherey he is accomplishing an adjustment, and :will not fail to expand the expander suiiciently, nor will he unknowingly expand it too greatly.y

Likewise it is our intention to provide means which `are associated withthe hem expander R to store and `make available; as. the `expander expands and contracts, carding tape, which may be engaged with the hem of the vdress `to hold it down `upon the form, enabling `proper adjustment to the correct length. By reason of the arrangement of this carding tape relative to 'the remainder of the-form, and by reason of the collapsibility of theform, particularlyvertically,

the dress may be automatically disengaged from the cardingtape. V It is also our intention to provide, in association with such a figure, means tosupply-steam or air, whether warm or of room temperature,

andthereby to accomplish various processes in connection with the cleaning or drying ci a dress which is uponthe form. Thelatterprovisions, howevergare suitable for use withva'rious types ofA forms, and are notf considered lpart of the present invention, which deals ratherfwithV the form perse.' f 1 Since it is more convenientfand 4considerably quicker to accomplish adjustments in the various Zones, or for heighisiromA a point outside the iigure than from apoint inside, we provide a i wardly'within the figure.

necting them to the jacks within the gure by any convenient type of conduits, extending up- ",The central support, in the form shown, is made upof telescopingly connected tubes4 l0, Il, l2, and I3, arising out of a surrounding Vtubular stem lll. `Each such tubular section or the centralsupport carries a spider, Vincluding `a sleeve at its upper end, designated, lsglb; liu, |7571, and l5, of vwhich all butthe latter constitute reaction points which are in effect part of the respective expanders S, B,W, and H. The hem expander R hasja further reaction point |151, which engages about the tube i4.

L' Within the assemblyrthusiormed, and constituting in the aggregate the central upright support, is a jack, which conveniently takes the form of a jack cylinder Il and a piston or plunger I see FigureZ). The stem I8 ofthe plunger projects upwardly through the upper end of the cylinder l1; to engage the member E53 of the shoulder expander. The plunger l has an appreciable range of adjustment, suicient to collapse'the form to any desired minimum extent, and to project it upwardly to any desired height.

By pushing upwardly on the expander S each expander in succession may be drawn upwardly if` means are providedto tie together the successive expanders. This end is accomplished, and

relative rotation of 'the expanders about the axis of the jack cylinder l'l-is accomplished, by mechanism such as that which willlnow be described.

Asis best shown in Figures 2, 12, and 14, a gaugestickz is carried by the uppermost expander sleeve its, toI which it is secured (see also Figure 8), and runs through guides in each successive expander sleeve. Thisgauge stick is procontrol stand adjacent theiigurebut alongside thereof, where the operator may stand and accomplish all the necessary adjustments, orjsubstantially all theerof, while at the saine'time observing the measurements of the ligure at the Vindicator I. Since the adjustments are preferably all accomplished by power means, such as :duidoperated jacks, this isvery readily. accomplished by mounting the control valves for these jacksA in a control stand outside the iigure, 'and by convidedwith spaced holes 20, within whichV are engageable locking dogs carried by each expander below the uppermost, and by the sleeve it. At the vbust v*enrpander is a locking dog 2lb, at the Waist expander a dog Zhu-and at the hip expander adog ZlhA HThe do'gy Zim, carried by the sleeve E5, maytbe somewhat differently operated. gaugestick 2 as thusarranged isexcessively long, and if it thereby tends to prevent vertical collapse oi' the gure to the required extent, it may be divided into two such gauge sticks, onefor the upper part and one for the lowerpart of the figure. j

Since certain of the details of construction have been omitted to avoidobscuring the showing'in Figures l and Z'the construction of the dogs,andithezmannerof their operation maybe best understcodby reference to Figure 12. It will be seen that' thev dog 2lb is pivoted at .22 to a bracket-l5ycarried by the sleeve i519, and that a springjfltextending betweenr the bracket and the dgis arrangedtoy pass'acros's a center, and thererore'holdsthe 4dog either in the ruil-line engaged Atern'iines their spacing. In'` similar-fashion the spacing between ,thel expanders B and W, and between the expanders W and H, and nally between the expanders H and R, may be determined and fixed inthe same way. `The last mentioned spacing, however, is conveniently `accomplished by connecting a link 2Q, connected to an arm 2 Iy or the'dog v21:11, throughvarious linkage *arranges ments, indicated generallyat .2.5, .to-fa .,trea'dle`2ii` at the operators station. This. isv possiblev with this particular'dog for.the vreason `thatfthe sleeve It, whereon it is mounted, doesnot move vertically. i

An alternative arrangement is `shown Vin Figs ure 1.4, wherein the-dog-Zla is similarly..piyted,v but its' disengaged'position, shown in dot-,dash

lines, is but slightly removed from its engaged A position, since the d-og is suitably.stopped` and held in the dsengagedposition. The dog is pro,- vided with a heel 2 lo, positioned to lie-engaged .by a stop 2l which is carried .by .a slide 287 which slide likewise supports aspiring-held `pin-"lil, engageable within the holes 20. The slide '28, may thus be previously positioned to-determinethe spacing between the several expandcrs, and then upon upward movement of the form as ,a whole; and of .the gauge stick 2 with thelshoul'derexpander S, the'stop 2l for eachexpander engages its dog 2te, which is .normally heldin unlocked position, and throws the latter into the locked position in engagement with the proper holerZll.;

in the lattery position it isheld by itsspring This .permits 'presetting of the spacing `between expanders, .andfautomatic xing thereof in `adjusted .position as the form is adjusted upwardly.

At theoperators station, convenientlycollected in a stand ,9, area series of-.controls including a control valve l9-for thejack l,` l1 (fordetails see Figure 4). AThis jack may be voperated by come pressed air or by .a liquid under pressure, the supply whereof is by means of a conduit Eiland the return whereof is by means of a conduit 5l. I;

Other valves for jacks at each of vthe expanders are also collected here,.as will be described later.

The bust expander may be descriloedas .typical of the principal expanders. The sleeye. 1512,

. which is secured at the upper end ofthe .tubular section H of the support, may be considered part of the bust expander, f or it is the reaction point from which -theexpansion proceeds.Y Atfthe bust zone, differently from other zones, the expansion is largely forwardly and somewhat outwardly vin direction, and there is little orv no yexpansion rearwardly. The points of the greatest convexity,

of course, are to the front, and therefore the expander is simply and conveniently formed primarily by the bust plates 3b, shaped to denethe breast contours. The remainder of the bust `expanderis `formed oi a plate 3io at therear, which maybe connected directly to a bracket .l.5y,that constitutes-part of the sleeve 51), and exipleand extensible elements, suchas .thespring-likebands which are `received and guided `Lin Vtheplate 3 i b, and which extend thence aro-und vthe sides aty least to a connection with the bust plates 3b. The bands 32h may be part of the bust plates 12 or maybe secured thereto, or may extendthere.- behind. They preferably do not extend across the fro-nt, between the two bust plates -3b, but if desiredsimilar bandstjb may. be provided, extendbetween the two'bust plates and capable of sliding relative `to each as the bust expanderI is expanded or contracts. k j

The expansion is accomplished byrneans of pneumaticor hydraulic jacks, generallydesignated 3&1). Because ofthe small minimum ,sizeV at the bust, and the possible large maximum sitze, the jacks which accomplish the expansion at the bust are preferably duplex jacks. However, this is a detail which may vary in accordance with the design and in accordance with the range of expension and contraction'at any given Zone. v.1t

.will

except that itis singlefacting.

@frarea needonlybe considered thatsuch a jack includesk a piston '34h' slidable within .a cylinder 35o, which f is .supported from the bracketl |511, andrdirected, inthe b ust expander, divergingly kfrom the back 3io. Thepistonrod or stem-3.612 is preferably secured directly to. the bust plate3bv. Fluidunder pressure is supplied to the .two diverging jacks 'l 3th froman individual supply Vconduit 31h extend:

ingupwardly Within theforrn from 4a vcontrol valve Schat theA control stand 9. Suchl a valvey may resemble the lvalve l9, illustrated in Figure d;

At other expanders the arrangement isfsirnilar. .j At the waist expander, shown in Figuresfl. andi 16, the jacks 39u?, made up" of the Ycylinders,3510, and pistons 3410, are' arrangedsubstantially.'parf allel (one would sulce if it were feasible to locate it centrally) and project the stems 3 6w and theV connected waist plate Sw forwardly. the bands 3210 are drawn somewhat forwardly, and by their flexibility are .permitted to .expand outwardly, asv is shown -in vthe dot-.dash lines.- The ,back plate 3|.w is supported .from thefsler'evel f i520, asfare the jacks 30w. Fluid .under pressure is supplied' from the conduit Slw byy way Qfa valve .3820. At the .hip expander thesituationis substantially reversed with relation gto. .the 'situa'f tion atthe bust expandenfor. here themovablef hip lates 3h are disposed attheI rear,and.the

jacks 30h diverge rearwardly :and outwardly.

Whereas in the waist expander the jacks larefonly 'Y simplex,.here in the ,hipexpanden asin the bust expander, vthe jacks -arenormally duplex, y-but i reversed. The xed plate .'lhr isfnow .located at l theffront instead of at the rear.

The4 hem expanderv R is somewhat vdiiieirfrerit v from the others in that ther .hem of ,a dress-is' largely circular,v and the expansionsfior variation of'size are notmaterially greaterin one direction than in another. Itis possible,therefore,-toA 't make the hem expander R .withjackszf that are radially directedifrom the ring L51'. hereds' an appreciable extent of possible variation yirncir-` cumference,'-however, ,and therefore thesejacks v The ciroumferentialparts' ofthe hem expander are madeup of the plates are preferably duplex.

Sr, which `are secured to the piston rodsV 35h/and of portions-321' which are slidabler..relativek to adjacent Ycircumferential sections, `being in -front ofthe adjacenty section at one` side and :behind l the adjacent section at the otherside; -Each Y' such memberl 31'V is provided with a horizontally disposed shoe or `sleeve 301/, Whichsupports the" member 'S12-for sliding engagement 'alonga guide 30.12, .which is parallel 'to the cylinderf35r.y 'Fur. ther reference will be made :toV the construction of the hem expander.

The shoulder expander S isiin'the nature-of a Y compositeV unit, inasmuch vas `the indicator` I-is mounted directly thereuponand associated therewith. Thefjacks 39s,l comprising the. cylinders 35s andthe vpistons`34s, are directed'laterally outwardly andslightly downwardly from the cene tral supportythe piston Vrods 36s pushing out'-A wardly telescoping 'shoulder pieces '3s, which are in part retractable beneath the 'shoulderforms 3ft. Fluid is supplied to the jacks 3dsv bythe:

conduit 31s.v

InY all instances the vjacks may be doubleactin'g,

if desired, but for simplification it is preferred A control valve, such asthefvalvefl,'isfshowd that they be retractable 'by springs 4s, jmj-etc;

cation at all times of the precise size of thegure y at any given Zone, and that all` such indications be collected at Ythe indicatori. However, because the expanders are located oney above the other, and are adjustable vertically with relation to one another, yet expand laterally and circumferentially, it is necessary to provide a flexible connection between the indicator I'and each individual zonal expander. i

InyFigures 16iand 17 a reel 5Std is shown, carried upon `a sleeve Slw which is j ournaled within the sleeve |5111.' Received within the tube .'ilw is a stern 52w, and the two are so formed (the stem being square, for instance, and received within a square socket) -that the tube may not rotate relative to the stem; rather rotation of the tube 5310` effects rotation of the stem 52u),y yet the two may slide relatively, axially of the tube. Thetube is urged always to rotate ina given direction by a torsion spring 53w, to tensione wire or cord iillw which is carried upon the spool Elw, and which is connected at its ends at ,Ew to the plate 3u). In this manner the wireillw, the tube lw, and the stern 521.0 .partake of the expansive orfcontractile movement of the waist expander W, and*V the stern` 52m serves as a means to transmittlfiat motion to the indicator I, to which the stem 52m extends through the interior of the form..

In similar fashion stems 52h, extend upwardly from the hip expander, and stems 52h extend upward from the bustexpander. There might be i also a similarfindicator fromthe hem expander R, but this is not so necessary, since the hem will normallybe extended to whatever circumference seems necessary,l without exact measurement, and` to conform to the remainder of the garment. No stem for the hem expander has been shown therefore. Likewise as to the shoulder expander; the arrangement isla little diierent in view of the fact that there is no relative movement vertically between the shoulder plate i 3s and the indicator therefore the spool 50s is mounted directly upon a` shaft 52s, which is journaiedvin the composite shoulder and indicator unit.

It may be seen, particularly in Figures 5, 6, 7,

and 8, that the shaits within the indicator I carries a spool 56%; which is connected, by an that are employed for linear measurements. There isof course, no reason 'for measuring with such'ta'pes, nor any reason why they n'eed to be sufficiently stii to be self-supporting to any extent. Preferably they are of sumcient length to extend continuously from the hem expander R to the shoulder expander S'by way of each of the intermediate expanders, following the contours Voi `the iigurej Such tapes 6 are conveniently wound upon take-up reels 60 (see Figures 21 and 22) whichy are carried by the hem i expander R, and

`slide relative .to thejexpanders as such movement 'is required by lateral expansion or contraction of the expanders. ASuch sliding connection is shown somewhat in detail in` FiguresVlB and 1'7. The guiding arrangementmay be such that the i .tape slidesvertically between underlying ears 62111, for instance, .pressed outor secured .to the inner sideof an :expander part, such as the waist platewgor the tape may be sufcientlyfiiexible transversely to curve-Ito t `within ,.a' guide @2b inthe bust plate 3h, as shown in Figure 13.4 At the same time circumferentially extending-mernbers, such as 33h in Figure 13; `are slidable within" guides ccfof Figures 13 or 1'?,

By such an l arrangerne ntl thejsprings fwhich vtake uplthe tapes, andwhich are concealed withinlthe mechanism at 6i), maintain each individual'longitudinal taut, and because itis located `endless cable 51s andby way of suitable pulleys,

tov a movable index or pointer 58s, which is slidablewithin a slot 5&8 within the indicator I. By suitably `marking the exterior of the housing which encloses and supports the various indicators the indices v"ills, 58h, 58u), and 58h, and any other similar indicators, may show directly `the size at the particular Zone which corresponds to this index member.' Adjustment may proceed accordingly, expanding or contracting the' form at any given zone byrsui'table operation oi the valves 33, until the" operator, standing at` the control stand Si, may tell bythecorresponding indicator 53 the measurement at thecorresponding zone.

As has been pointed out already, the expanders by themselves may be suiicient to deiine the prin cipal points or contours of the ligure, butY preferably the figure is completed,4 and in particular the contours between the waist, hip and hem expanders are `iilled'in and defined, by longitudinals 6. Preferably these are lin theform oiinextensible flexible tapes,n such Aas the stainless steelvtapes close lto the outside contour of .thelfigura by its tautness, and by its V'engagement within the successive expande-rs, it is kept always in this proper contour, regardless of the lateral or circumferential expansion ,onthe onehand, orwthe vertical expansion on the other hand. A skirtwhich is placed upon the iigure cannot drape or fall within the figure, by reason of the longitudinals which are properly spacedvaround the iigure, and therefore cannot engage `and be caught on nor interfere with the interior parts of the form.

It will be notedthat the hem expanderv R does not move vertically, and `thatwhile thefcentral part of each plate 5b'A is secured to the outer end of the jack stem orrod 361; the other parts either overlie or underlie the side portions of the adjoining plates Sr. Suitable guides 3e are provided i to hold in the outer ends of these flexible and ysomewhat resilient plates 31, andfthe` reels @il are carried upon the underlying ends but not upon the overlying ends of eachplate 3T. This `is for the .reason that, ,as may be seen in Figures 21 and 22, and likewise in Figurey 23, ythere is associated withk each such plate 3T a carding tape n consisting preferablyoi a flexible metalplate lil,

i an overlying heavy woven tape ll,` and carding length of the ingersQLfThese tapes are carried uponk the plates 3T, as has beenindioated .and slide underneath theoverlying ends of the adjoining plates. The carding fingers are not bent by, nor do'they catch upon the overlyingtape, ,by reason of the protective tape l2. `The latter is beveled oi at its/upper edge, as indicated at 'I3 A in Figure 23.,` andr while the downwardly turned 'dress to hold it down, whenever the form iscollapsed verticallythe dress issubstantia'lly auto matically disengaged from the Alingers 'i as the dress droops 'downwardlyQl Of 'course it may be necessary, to accomplish this, that thev hein ex-k pan'der'R be somewhat contractedgbut thisautomatic disengagement from'the carding tape facilitates and speeds up greatlyk the operation'of iinis'hin'g a dress "upon `the form, while the provi- 'sion of excess overlapped lengths of the carding tape' assures that there will always be presented, about they entire circumference, a,V sudi'cien't and "continuous'length of vcardin'gtape to hold down the hem of any dress. v

. Infligurey 18 i's` illus irated an arrangement which is p'articularlydesirable at such zones as the waist, where there is considerable circumferentialexpansio'n from avery small minimum to a rather large maximum. The band 32u; mustnot'be permitted to expandirom its guide 33a* sufiiciently topull the end oi thel band 32u; from the' guide. j The guide, thereforeris provided wi-tha spring finger 33t/which bears upon the band 3210, and which may engage within'a recess 33e in the band Whenthe band has nearly reached the limit @fits 'nitwani'4 extent. This automaticrengagement prevents pulling out the band 32w from its guide,` yet does vnet impede its movementinwardly. i

vAsis best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the entire device is mounted o'n or above 'a pedestal 8, wherein may be arranged such auxiliary devices kas a fan El] to'blow air @through the ,open top 8l of the pedestal and within the garment upon the form. The height of theform might be decreased if such devices were sunk into the floor, but ordinarily 'thisds not feasible, andin any 'event the vertical collapse 'of the-'forml enables ready access and use df the form by an operator standing von thel xflo'ral'ongside it, A steam ring `32, 'supplied from -a pipe '53, permits controlled 'admission of steam to Ithe interior 'of the garment which isupon the form. Such arrangements are not in themselves a partof Vthe present K.

inventon. vIt is only important that the form as a whole be suiciently open to allow free access of air, steam,vor similar iluidsfwh'ichare admitted to the interiorof the form :and of the garment thereupon, to whichA end the 'longitu-' dinals and separate *zonal plates are provided, and the latter, `as also their extending bands, 'may be perforated, as preferred, and as is desired.

It is believed that the manner of-use of the Vdevice'has been suiiciently described during the progress of this specification, and will be obvious to cleaners who have'heretoi'ore employed 'supports in the nature of dress hangers kfor holding garments open while air, steam, and `rthe like are blown within them. i

VKWhat we claim as our invention is: K

1. In a cleaners garment sizing form, in-lcombination with a central support, a bust expander including two bust plates and complemental surface-defining elements, two two-part jacks, one for each bust plate, one part `reacting from the central support and thef'other part being 'connected to its bust plate, the two'jacks diver'ging from the back partof the expander, whereby to project the bust plates forwardly andbutwardly,

central support,a`nd a secofndmember ii'xed yfor movement with a bust plate, and operatively ing the unan-charca portieri "6ft in'g to movement of the bust-plate.' i

2. A cleaners garment Ysizing rbr'iii cbmpi'sig a plurality` of upright, telescopical'ly disposed,L

relatively vertically slidable tubes, "jack means jreacting solely between the'lowermost tube rvand the uppermost tube tomove the ltubes vertically,

a plurality-of zonal 'expanders eachcarriedb'y a diierent support ltube for "vertical V'adjustment therewith relative -to other usupport'"tubes and their expanders, 'said' expandersj.coopera-ting'tb vdefine va gure of generallyv` human shape;v ach such expander being organized and'aranged'to. eiectexpansion, in vits" own-zene, 1indirections. and by amounts corresponding-to humah size:

vvariations in s'uch'zne`,za gauge stick paralleling i the'tubes'aiid co'nhected'to'jthe uppermosttube, 1

and rmeans for connecting each vexpander,-at

variou'sl selected distancesV from` vthe expanderV above, to .'the gauge vstick, thereby Vto ysupport "and limit the relative spacing' of each intermedi.atev

'3. Av cleaners garment sizing form as iin claim'` f 12, including further means to secure the gauge stick' to the lo-wermost tube.

4. A cleaners' garment sizing form'5cornprising an upright support;- anplurality -of zonal exV panders supported upo'nandvertically adjustable` Y 'in` position. valong saidA support, a lowermost,

iiXedly positioned` expandena pluralitygof iiex-v ible longitudinale.1each. 'extending 'from rthe low-f ermost expandenpast each'intermediate ex- `hander -to agpoint of Vsecu-rementon thel uppermost expander, said expanders and said 1o ngi" tudinals cooperating Hto ydefine -a Ithree,-fin'ier isional iigure of generallyhuman shape,- and Yeach A I expander being organized .andiarrangedto eiect expansion, in its own zone, in directions andby amounts corresponding tohuman size variations in such zone, and springV reels( ca ,rri-icl:v by the length. l

35,; A cleaners garment compris# ing anaupright interior support, a plurality of j 'zonal expanders spaced vertically upn saidsupport, said support being formed 4as a plurality* o f telescopically connectedA elementafupon leach.

vof which a different expander is mounted, `for r relative vertical adjustment, Vand-said expande'rs I,

. cooperating to define a gurefgenerally of human shape, Vand Aeach -expanderincluding a circurnyferential hoop anchored at oneside 'to its-sup- .port element,v and meansy rea'c'tiii'g freni each such support element to expand the other' sides of said hoops, the several 'expanders beirigo'rfY ganized and arranged,y and wtheir' 'eitnc-zlorage being so chosenfrelative toother eipanders, as to eiect expansion, each in its'o'wri'zone, inV suchI directions from thesupport and by such amounts ask correspond to human 'size 'and shape variations in corresponding zones@ f '6. A cleaners garment*sizingiermfcmprising an upright interior "supportga plurality of zonal expande'rs spaced 'vertically upon said support, f

and cooperating "toY vdeiiiie a figure '50i ,generally human shape, 'each' such expander including a circumferentialhoopanchcredatonefside to the f support, finie pressure 'ja-'ck :cylinders vlikewise e supported entireiy 'from' said support, 4as par'tfof l each expander, the plunger ch jack engagf the "correspontlf being free to expand in generally forward directions, and the hip expander hoop being similarly anchored at its forward side, and being free to expand rearwardly, and means reacting from said support, adjacent the anchorage of each hoop, against the free portion of such hoop, and directed to expand each hoop in an appropriate direction, to effect expansion, each in its own zone, in such directions and by such amounts as l0 correspond to human size Variations.

JOI-1N W. BELL. ALFRED F. LARSEN. 

